Dogs with canine diabetes must be managed carefully, with diet and insulin.

If you live with a dog with diabetes, you know how important it is to keep her blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.  These tips can help.

Why Is It So Important To Normalize Blood Sugar Levels In Diabetic Dogs?

Your dog’s body uses glucose for the fuel that keeps her going.  Where does this glucose come from?

Dog food contains proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.  These are all broken down into glucose, a simple sugar.  High-carb grain-based dog food should be avoided.  Why?  Because your pet’s body breaks carbs down so quickly that large amounts of glucose hit her bloodstream all at once, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.

Because fats and proteins are digested more slowly, the glucose produced is fed into your pet’s system much more slowly, avoiding this spike.  Low-carb grain-free dog food, or a high-quality canned dog food, is best for a pet with canine diabetes.

It’s normal for blood glucose levels to rise after a meal, but they should come down again quickly.  In a healthy pet, insulin helps to regulate the blood sugar levels.  However, if the pancreas is not producing insulin, or if your dog’s body can’t use the insulin that’s present, blood sugar levels can soar to dangerously high levels.

High blood glucose levels will damage every organ in your dog’s body.  Sudden blindness is often the first symptom of a diabetic canine.  High blood sugar levels can also lead to a potentially fatal condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

It’s important that blood sugar levels don’t drop too low, either.  Hypoglycemia in dogs is a veterinary emergency that requires treatment as soon as possible.

How Do You Monitor Blood Sugar Levels In A Canine Diabetic?

The same way human diabetics do, with either urine test strips, or a glucometer.  Your vet will help you decide which method is better for your dog.

When Should You Give Insulin Injections?

Always check her blood sugar levels before you give her insulin.  Otherwise you don’t have a clue how much to give her.

And wait until after she eats.  If you give her a shot before you feed her, and then she doesn’t eat, she can quickly develop hypoglycemia.

Since insulin is stored in the fridge, you may want to warm the vial in your hand for a few minutes.  Doing this will make the injection more comfortable for your companion.

Will My Diabetic Pet Need Insulin Injections For The Rest Of Her Life?

The short answer is yes.  You’ll need to monitor her blood sugar levels carefully, but as time passes, it will get easier for both of you.

GlucoEnsure May Help

Many pet owner wonder if there are herbs for dogs that can help in regulating blood sugar levels.  GlucoEnsure is a natural remedy for dogs that has been formulated especially for pets.  Quite a few pet owners have found that this product is very effective in helping to manage blood glucose levels.

Many vets are familiar with GlucoEnsure, and will be willing to work with you in using natural remedies.  Click on any link in this article to learn how you can provide good care for your best friend.

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Dry cat food is a bad choice for a feline diabetic.

What’s the best food for a diabetic cat?  This is a question that owners of cats with diabetes ask often.  You may be surprised at the answer.

Diabetic Cats Should Never Eat Dry Food

According to Elizabeth Hodgkins,DVM, a diabetic feline should NEVER be fed dry cat food.  This flies in the face of the traditional veterinary ideas that say that feline diabetes can be managed successfully by feeding a high-fiber dry food.  Why does she feel this way?

She has two reasons.  The first is that dry cat foods usually prescribed for diabetic cats are extremely high in carbohydrates.  In fact, because prescription diets are also low in fat, the fat is replaced with even MORE carbs.  Too many carbs is what leads to weight gain in cats, along with high blood sugar levels.

When you feed a diabetic cat a food that’s high in carbohydrates, you’re pouring fuel on the fire.

Secondly, cats don’t need all that fiber in their diets.  Cats are obligatory carnivores.  This means they should get most of their protein from meat, not plants.

Felines have a shorter GI tract than people or dogs do.  They are unable to digest high-fiber foods very efficiently.  Feeding a cat a high fiber diet, according to Dr. Hodgkins, results in reduced nutrient absorption.  Your cat tends to eat more, since he’s not getting all the nutrients he needs from dry food.  And of course, this is a vicious cycle, causing more weight gain, and higher blood sugar levels.

So What’s The Best Diabetic Cat Food?

Dr. Hodgkins believes that a low-carb, high-protein wet cat food is the best diet for a diabetic cat.  In fact, she has found that many cats will go into remission from feline diabetes when their diets are changed.

If your kitty has been eating a dry prescription food, you may want to consider changing her diet to a high-quality canned cat food.  Many cats are “hooked” on dry food, so they may resist a change in their diets.  Our feline friends are like people; they prefer junk food to good nutritious food, too.

Always read the labels carefully.  Some canned foods contain many fillers which are high in carbs and low in protein.

Move slowly, feeding your cat a little bit of canned cat food to start out, and increasing the amount slowly, while decreasing the amount of dry food available.  Don’t try to force your kitty onto a new diet.  A diabetic cat needs to eat regularly, to avoid blood sugar problems.  You may need to try several brands of canned food before you find the one he likes.

Always consult with your vet before making any changes in your pet’s diet.  You’ll also want to keep tabs on blood sugar levels with urine testing strips or a glucometer.

Dr. Hodgkins believes that feeding a cat an appropriate diet is the best way to manage feline diabetes.  For more information, click on any link in this article.

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Canine Diabetes is often seen in Golden Retrievers

Canine diabetes was probably the furthest thing from your mind when you brought your new puppy home.   But ignorance isn’t bliss when it comes to diabetes in dogs.  If you have a canine companion, you owe it to her to be aware of her risk for becoming a diabetic dog.

The most important risk factor for a dog is being too heavy.

Is Your Friend Overweight?

Obesity is a hot topic these days.  There’s plenty of press about how too much weight can lead to all kinds of health problems for people.  But did you know that it’s just as dangerous for your canine companion to be overweight, too?

One of the most important risk factors for developing canine diabetes is an obese dog.  And it’s also one that’s the most easily controlled.

Our pets are overweight for two reasons:  we overfeed them, and we feed them the wrong kinds of food.

Overfeeding Your Dog Is Not A Sign Of Love

Quite a few people think that slipping their dogs extra food or treats is a way to show how much they love them.  Actually, what they’re doing is predisposing their pets to becoming obese, and paving the way for health problems, and a shorter life.

The best way to show your dog how much you love her is to spend time with her.  Take her on a long walk every day, and give her lots of play time and attention.

The Correct Diet Is Important

Most people pick up a bad of dry dog food at their local big box store.  More likely than not, this is not a good diet for your pet.  Why?

Most dry dog food is made mostly from grains, which are very high in carbohydrates.  And a dog that’s eating too many carbs is much more likely to put on too much weight.

Overweight pets are more likely to develop insulin resistance, which is usually considered a forerunner of a diabetic dog.  All those carbs in her diet cause a spike in blood sugar levels after meals.  A dog with insulin resistance can’t use the insulin being produced by her body.

A grain-free dog food is the best diet for your companion.  And avoid all those extra treats, including table scraps.

Spaying Your Pet Can Lower Her Risk

Did you know that a middle-aged female dog is more likely to become a diabetic canine if she’s not spayed?  In fact, her risk for canine diabetes increases two- or three-fold if she’s not spayed.

The culprit is estrogen, which can interfere with how her body produces insulin.  Obviously, estrogen levels aren’t a problem in spayed females.

Are Certain Breeds More Likely To Develop Diabetes In Dogs?

Unfortunately, the answer is “yes.”  Any dog can develop diabetes, but some breeds have a genetic disposition for it.  If you have one of these dogs, you should always watch for symptoms of canine diabetes:

• German Shepherds
• Miniature Pinchers
• Beagles
• Schnauzers
• Cairn Terriers
• Cocker Spaniels
• Dachshunds
• Keeshonds
• Golden Retrievers

Certain Drugs Can Lead To Diabetes In Dogs

Cortisone-type medications, and hormones used to control heat in females, can interfere with insulin production.  Pet owners should be aware of these side effects, especially if their companions are already at risk for canine diabetes.

Prevention Is The Best Treatment For Diabetes In Dogs

Reducing your pet’s risk of becoming a diabetic dog is the best way to prevent this disease.  Treating a pet with diabetes can be complicated and expensive.  It’s best to avoid the problem in the first place, if at all possible.

Click on any link in this article for products that can help.

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Checking a diabetic cat's blood sugar.

Diabetes in cats is becoming a major health issue for our feline friends.  If your kitty has been diagnosed with feline diabetes, you probably wonder what the future holds for him.

The good news is that your friend will more than likely be around for many years.

What Causes A Diabetic Cat?

There are two causes for this condition.  Either your kitty’s pancreas is not producing enough insulin (type 1 diabetes), or his body can’t use the insulin that is being produced (type 2).  With no insulin to regulate it, blood sugar levels soar out of control.

The question is, where does all that sugar come from?

To answer that, you need to understand that the food your kitty eats is made up of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.   During the process of digestion, these are all broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which is what your cat’s body uses for fuel.

Glucose passes through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream, where it’s carried to all parts of the body.  If there is no insulin present to regulate how much glucose goes into the blood,  all this sugar goes right into the bloodstream, raising the blood glucose levels.

When blood sugar levels are too high, and remain too high over a period of time, it causes many health problems.  Liver and kidney disease, nerve damage, and a decreased resistance to infections are only a few of the problems a diabetic cat may face.

And if his blood sugar levels are not brought under control, he can go into a coma and die.

What Are The Symptoms Of Feline Diabetes?

The first symptom of diabetes in cats is often weak legs.  You may see your cat walking on his hocks, or “elbows” on his back legs, or on his “wrists” on his front legs.  His legs may also go out from under him unexpectedly.  This is called diabetic neuropathy, and it’s caused by nerve damage from high blood sugar levels.

Your kitty may be losing weight, although he seems to be extremely hungry all the time.  Because he’s not getting much nutrition from the food he’s eating, his body is breaking down the protein in his muscles to provide energy.

He may be drinking lots of water, as well.  Extreme thirst is a classic symptom of diabetes, both in people and in pets.  Your kitty’s body is trying to flush the extra sugar out of his system by making him so thirsty that he’ll drink more water.

Of course, all that extra water he’s drinking will make him urinate more.  In fact, he may start having accidents in the house because he can’t make it to the litter box in time.

A diabetic feline will seem to lose interest in life.  He’ll just lay around all the time.

One last symptom to watch for is a feline urinary tract infection.  If he has repeated infections that he just can’t seem to shake, he could have feline diabetes.

Can Diabetes In Cats Be Cured?

Unfortunately, no.  However, there are many ways to treat this disease.  You’ll be working closely with your vet to manage your kitty’s health.

Diet is most important.  You’ll want to avoid excess carbs, so stay away from grain-based dry cat food.  A high-quality canned cat food, or a grain-free cat food is the best diet for a cat with diabetes.

Natural remedies for cats may help as well.  Many pet owners have been successful in managing feline diabetes with GlucoEnsure, a safe and effective herbal pet remedy from PetAlive.  Many vets are also familiar with this remedy, as well.

Click on any link in this article to learn more about products that can help your diabetic cat.

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Natural remedies for dogs may be helpful in controlling canine diabetes.

If your dog has canine diabetes, is insulin the only answer for controlling his blood sugar levels?  Scientific research has shown that many herbs can help to keep blood sugar at normal levels.  These four herbs for dogs may help your diabetic canine.

Goat’s Rue May Help Control Diabetes In Dogs

This herb shows great promise in controlling diabetes naturally.  Goat’s rue contains galegin, a substance similar to the main ingredient in Metformin, a popular medication used for diabetes.  It may also help to prevent cataracts, which causes most dogs with diabetes to lose their sight.

Fenugreek Is An Old Remedy

Commonly used in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East as both a culinary and a medicinal herb, fenugreek helps to stimulate the release of insulin in the body.

The seeds are high in fiber, and they contain enzymes that slow down digestion.  When digestion is slowed, glucose is released into the bloodstream more slowly, preventing blood sugar spikes after meals.

Bilberry Is Known To Protect The Eyes

This relative of the common blueberry contains powerful antioxidants in the form of anthocyanins.  These help to protect the eyes from free radicals, which are implicated in the formation of caratacts.  Many herbalists recommend bilberry to prevent cataracts, a common cause of blindness among diabetic pets.

Astragalus May Help To Prevent Infections In Diabetic Dogs

Known as huang gi in China, where it has been used for thousands of years, astragalus has been shown to support the immune system.  Since urinary tract infections and other infections are common in diabetic canines, this is a plus.

Herbalists also recommend astragalus to control blood sugar levels, and also to prevent cataracts.

Chromium Is An Essential Nutrient

Chromium is not an herb, but it’s a trace mineral that’s essential for regulating blood sugar levels.  Chromium is removed in the process of refining grains.  And since most dog food diets are grain-based, this may be why canine diabetes is becoming such an epidemic.

Chromium is also necessary to prevent insulin resistance.  This is a condition in which the body can’t use the insulin the pancreas is producing.  It’s often a forerunner to type 2 diabetes, which is commonly seen in dogs.

GlucoEnsure Contains All These Herbs, Plus Chromium

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use natural remedy for dogs with diabetes, GlucoEnsure may be your answer.  This remedy contain all the herbs mentioned above, plus chromium.  Many pet owners are using this remedy right now to help their diabetic dogs.  Click on any link in this article to learn more.

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Managing your diabetic cat doesn't have to be complicated.

If your kitty has been diagnosed with feline diabetes, you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed.  Diabetes in cats is a complex subject, and there’s a lot to learn, seemingly all at once.  But if you focus on these three areas, life will be easier, for both you and your kitty.

The Right Diet For A Diabetic Cat

You may be shocked to learn that the prescription diet your vet recommends may not be the best choice for your cat with diabetes.  Look at the label.  What’s the first ingredient?  More than likely, it’s rice.

What’s the problem?  Rice and other grains are very high in carbohydrates.  Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they should be getting their protein from meat, not grains.  A cat that’s fed a grain-based diet is much more likely to become overweight.  And fat cats are prone to developing feline diabetes.

A second problem with grain-based cat food is that it can cause a spike in blood sugar levels.  Proteins and fats are digested more slowly.  The glucose that is a product of the digestive process enters your pet’s system slowly, over a longer period of time.

Carbs, on the other hand, are digested very quickly.  The glucose is dumped into your cat’s bloodstream very quickly, causing blood sugar levels to jump.

Either a high-quality canned cat food, or grain-free cat food is the best diet for a diabetic cat.  Whatever you choose, make sure it appeals to him.  He needs to eat, or his blood sugar levels will drop to dangerously low levels, leading to hypoglycemia.

Your pet will be eating three or four times a day.  This will help to keep his blood sugar levels from spiking after meals,  and then dipping too low several hours later.

Check Your Cats’s Blood Sugar Often

It’s essential that you check your cat’s blood sugar before you give him an insulin shot.  Otherwise you have no idea how much to give him.

You can do this by using a glucometer.  Your vet can show you how to do this.  Once you’ve done it a few times, you and your cat will be old hands at it, and you’ll wonder why you ever thought this was a problem.

Can Natural Remedies For Cats Help With Managing Feline Diabetes?

Many pet owners have had great success in managing a diabetic cat by using a natural remedy that contains the herbs goat’s rue, fenugreek, astragalus, and the mineral chromium.  Research has shown that these remedies are safe and effective in controlling blood sugar levels in cats and dogs.

Fenugreek also promotes urinary tract health.  Since diabetic cats are often plagued by urinary tract infections, this is an added benefit.

Always check with your vet before making any treatment changes for your cat.  Most vets are very open to natural remedies these days, and will be happy to work with you.

Focus on diet and home testing, and learn more about natural remedies for cats, and you’ll find that managing your diabetic cat isn’t so difficult after all.  Click on any link in this article to learn more about products that can help.

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Dogs with diabetes need a diet that's low in carbs.

If you have a diabetic dog, you probably think she should be eating the prescription diet your vet sells.  This may not be a good idea for your pet.  Read on to find out why.

Dry Dog Food Probably Caused Your Dog To Get Canine Diabetes

If you’ve never read a pet food label before, you’re  in for a surprise.  What’s the first ingredient listed?  Corn?  Rice?

Chances are that it’s some kind of grain.  What’s the problem with grain?  Well, dogs are meant to eat animal protein, not plant-based protein.  Although dogs can digest plant-based protein, meat-based protein is better utilized by your dog’s body.

The other problem with grains is that they contain lots of carbohydrates.  Too many carbs in your pet’s diet can lead to obesity.  And a fat dog is much more likely to become a canine diabetic.

Carbs are also broken down into glucose very quickly in the process of digestion.  All this glucose is dumped into your dog’s system at once, leading to a spike in blood sugar levels.

Proteins and fats, on the other hand, are digested much more slowly.  The glucose from fats and protein enters your dog’s bloodstream gradually, over a longer period of time, preventing blood glucose spikes.

The best diet for a diabetic dog is a grain-free dog food that’s low in fat and high in fiber.  Be sure it’s not too low in fat however, as she’s liable to develop a poor coat and itchy skin if the fat levels in her food are lower than ten percent.

And of course, whatever you feed her, it should be appetizing to her.  She needs to eat on a regular basis, to keep her blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

Your Diabetic Dog Needs To Eat On Schedule

She’ll probably be eating two or three times a day, usually eight or twelve hours apart.  You’ll divide up her daily ration into two or three smaller meals.  This helps to keep her blood sugar levels on a regular keel.

The Best Time For An Insulin Injection Is After A Meal

Always check your dog’s glucose levels before giving her insulin.  This is essential, because otherwise you won’t have a clue how much insulin to give her.  Too much can lead to hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.  Too little won’t do much to lower her blood glucose levels.

Have your vet show you how to use a glucometer.  Learning how to do this will make managing your dog’s diabetes much easier.

It’s always best to give your dog insulin after she eats.  Some pet owners learn this the hard way.  If you give her an injection before a meal, and then she doesn’t eat, she’s in trouble, as her blood sugar levels can drop to dangerously low levels very quickly.  Always keeps a little Karo syrup around to rub on her gums if this should happen.  She’ll need to see the vet right away.

This scenario is easily avoided by waiting until after a meal to give her a dose of insulin.

Need to learn more about canine diabetes?  Click on any link in this article to find out about products that can help you manage a dog with diabetes.

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Feline diabetes is often treated with insulin injections.

If your kitty has just been diagnosed as a feline diabetic, you’re not alone.  The sad truth is that feline diabetes is on the upswing.  More and more cats are developing this health issue.  Read on for the basic information you need to care for your diabetic cat.

What Causes Diabetes In Cats?

There are two likely culprits:  a poor diet, along with obesity.  Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they should be getting most of their protein from meat, not grains.  And guess what?  Most dry foods are loaded with grains, mostly because they’re cheap and available.

A cat that eats too many high-carbohydrate grains will more than likely end up carrying too much weight.  A fat cat can develop insulin resistance, which often leads to cat diabetes.

Why are carbs so bad?  All the food your kitty eats is broken down into glucose during the digestive process.  This glucose is released into the bloodstream so that the body can use it for fuel.

The glucose from carbs enters the bloodstream all at once, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.  In contrast, glucose from fats and proteins are released over a much longer period of time, which avoids this spike.

Your cat’s pancreas makes insulin, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.  Too much insulin, and your cat has low blood sugar.  Too little, and blood glucose rises to dangerous levels.

In type 1 diabetes, your cat’s body is not producing any insulin at all.  In type 2, insulin is being produced, but for whatever reason, it’s not being used.  In either case, blood sugar levels become elevated, and stay elevated.  If these levels remain high over a long period of time, it will damage every organ in your pet’s body.

Symptoms Of Feline Diabetes

The first symptom you may notice is weakness in his legs.  He may be walking on his hocks on his back legs, or on his “wrists” on his front legs.

He may be losing weight, even though he seem to be extremely hungry all the time.

You may notice that he’s extremely thirsty, and is drinking water all the time.  This leads to having to urinate frequently.  He may be having “accidents” because he can’t make it to the litter box in time.

He’s lost his zip.  He seems tired all the time, and he doesn’t want to do anything except lay around.

How Do You Treat Diabetes In Cats?

Many cats with diabetes are given insulin, just like human diabetes.  In order to give the correct dose, you’ll need to watch his blood sugar levels.  You can do this with either urine test strips, or a glucometer like the ones people use.

Your cat will need to eat on a regular schedule to avoid spikes and dips in his blood sugar levels.  A high-quality grain-free cat food is best.

Getting his blood sugar levels regulated can be challenging at first.  But with time and patience, it can be done.

Natural Remedies For Cats May Help Your Feline Diabetic

Some cats owners have been able to reduce or even eliminate insulin usage by using  herbs and dietary supplements.  These products are safe and effective for regulating blood sugar levels in both pets and people.

Talk with your vet.  Natural remedies for cats may be the answer you’re looking for to help your pet with feline diabetes.  Click on any link in this article to learn more about products that can help you care for a diabetic cat.

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Prevent diabetes in dogs by feeding your puppy a good diet right from the start!

Why is canine diabetes becoming such a problem among our four-footed friends?  Vets are seeing more diabetic dogs all the time.  Why is this happening?  You may be surprised at the answer.

Dry Dog Food Is Not The Best Diet For Your Pet

How did you decide what to feed your new puppy?  If you’re like most people, you just went down to the local big box store and picked up a bag of puppy food.  As he grew, you transitioned him to regular dry dog food.  After all, you wanted to make sure he had the best diet possible, right?

Most people get their information on how to feed their companions from the pet food companies.  However the sad truth is that these companies are much more interested in the health of their bottom line than in the health of the animals that actually eat their products.

Dry Dog Food Is Overloaded With Carbohydrates

Millions of tons of grain are grown in the US every year.  This means that grains are not only plentiful, but cheap.  The ready availability of grains, along with their low cost, makes them very attractive to the pet food companies.

Unfortunately, grains are full of carbohydrates.  Too many carbs are bad for our pets for two reasons.

First, during the process of digestion, protein, fats, and carbs are broken down into glucose, which is what the body used for fuel.  Fats and proteins are digested slowly, and the glucose produced is fed  into the bloodstream over a longer period of time.

Carbs, on the other hand, are broken down very quickly.  The glucose is dumped into the blood all at once, causing blood sugar levels to soar.

The second problem is that too many carbs in the diet lead to weight gain.  And an overweight dog is more likely to become a canine diabetic.

Chromium Is Lost During The Refining Process

Even more importantly, many trace minerals are lost when grains are refined for use in pet (and human) food.  One of these minerals is chromium, which the body needs to regulate blood sugar levels.

When you put all this together, it’s easy to see why the number of dogs with diabetes is skyrocketing.

The best dog food for your pet is high in fiber and low in fat.

How To Regulate Your Dog’s Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

Exercise is one of the best natural ways to keep blood glucose levels normal, both in people and their pets.  A half hour of exercise every day will go a long way towards keeping both you and your pet healthy.

Research has shown that herbs for dogs can also help to prevent diabetes.  A safe and effective natural remedy for dogs includes:

• Astragalus, a well-known herb in Chinese traditional medicine.  It helps to boost the immune system and can prevent cataracts, as well as regulating glucose levels.
• Fenugreek, which slow down carbohydrate absorption, and may stimulate insulin production.
• Goat’s rue, which can lower glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia, may also reduce your pet’s risk of cataracts.

As mentioned above, chromium is a nutrient necessary for healthy blood sugar levels.  Supplementing the diet with this mineral may help to prevent a canine diabetic.

Learn more about products that can help prevent or control diabetes in dogs by clicking on any link in this article.

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If your cat has feline diabetes, you may use a glucometer to check his blood sugar levels

Feline diabetes is on the rise among our furry friends.  Most people don’t know much about diabetes in cats, but if your kitty is a feline diabetic, you have a lot to learn, in a short time.  First, a quick lesson on how insulin works.

Insulin And Feline Diabetes

Everyone, whether you’re a cat or a person, has a pancreas that produces insulin.  And of course, insulin keeps the sugar levels in our blood from getting too high.  But the question is, where does all that glucose come from?

During the process of digestion, the food we eat is broken down into a form that our bodies can use.  Fats, proteins, and carbohydrates are all broken down into glucose, which is a type of sugar that the body uses to fuel everything that it does.

Insulin keeps the blood glucose levels normal.  If there’s too much insulin present, blood sugar levels drop, leading to hypoglycemia.   If the sugar levels get too low, it can become a dangerous situation very quickly.  The brain is the first organ to be affected, so you may see a hypoglycemic cat staggering around and acting strangely.  Your cat can die very quickly if this happens.

A lack of insulin causes the blood sugar levels to rise to dangerously high levels.  Over time, these high glucose levels will cause damage to every organ in the body, but especially the nerves and the kidneys.  Now you can understand why having the right amount of insulin present in the body is so vital.

There are two types of diabetes.  In type 1, the pancreas simple stops producing insulin.  In type 2, insulin is still being produced, but the body can’t use it.

Caring For A Diabetic Cat Means Keeping Blood Sugar Levels Under Control

Keeping blood sugar levels where they should be can be challenging at first.  If you need to give your kitty insulin shots, it can be hard to find the right balance.

Checking your diabetic pet’s blood sugar levels at home is crucial.  Otherwise you don’t have a clue as to what’s going on with him.  It’s impossible to know how much insulin he needs if you don’t know how high or low his blood glucose levels are.

You can check sugar levels in two ways.  Some people use strips to test a cat’s urine, while others use a glucometer (the same kind human diabetics use).  Your vet can show you how to do this.  It’s not difficult, and you’ll learn how to do it very quickly.

Setting a schedule for mealtimes is essential.  You kitty must eat on a regular basis to keep his blood sugar levels from either getting too low or too high.  It’s best to wait to give an insulin shot until after he eats.  If you give it to him before a meal, and then he doesn’t eat, a life-threatening case of hypoglycemia can develop very quickly.

Feline Diabetes And Natural Remedies For Cats

Many human diabetics are using herbs and supplements as a means of controlling blood sugar.  Studies have shown that this is a safe and effective way to keep blood glucose levels normal in our furry friends, too.

People have used fenugreek, goat’s rue, and astragalus as natural remedies for diabetes for hundreds of years.  Research has also shown that chromium, a trace element often deficient in our diets, helps to promote healthy blood glucose levels.

If you’re looking for a natural way to keep your diabetic cat healthy, click on this link to learn more.

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